Lots of working, pregnant women wonder how long they can actually continue to work for during their pregnancy and the answer is, probably until labor starts providing you are having a healthy pregnancy and your job doesn't present risk or strain.

Consider your needs and decide how long you wish to work. Maternity leave is valuable and often best used when baby is born rather than eaten into before the birth so you may wish to continue working for as long as possible. Others get tired or uncomfortable and it becomes difficult for them to work, especially if they have a strenuous or stressful job or commute. Take counsel from your physician and spend some time considering your decision. While you are working, you want to maintain your health and ensure that your baby has a healthy environment in which to grow and develop. Here are a few guidelines to that end:

Some foods and smells can trigger nausea during pregnancy. What you once loved may now make you queasy. Recognize these changes and stay clear of these foods and smells so you don't make your nausea worse. Both hunger and an overly full tummy can cause increased queasiness so have a stash of crackers nearby to nibble on when nausea hits.

You move more slowly when pregnant so give yourself plenty of time each morning and get lots of sleep. Stress and tiredness will exacerbate nausea. Dehydration is another culprit. Stay dehydrated by drinking lots of water every day. Unfortunately, during the early part of pregnancy fatigue is very common especially for working moms to be. Try to get lots of fresh air and move around by taking regular breaks. Regular rests are vital if you have a physical job. Concentration will be improved as a result of these breaks. Take a power snooze during lunch or simply put your feet up and relax for a short while.

Afternoon tiredness is common in early and late pregnancy. In this case, change your work schedule if you can so that you can get the higher-energy tasks out of the way in the morning while you are feeling fresh. . Depending on the demands of your job you may need to curtail personal, out of work activities so that rest is a priority thus helping you remain fresh for the workplace. Regular exercise will help your energy level as well. Speak to your physician about continuing your pre-pregnancy exercise routine. If you want to start exercising during pregnancy talk to your doctor about what you can do to stay active.

All help should be gratefully accepted whether in the workplace or at home. You can always return the favor after you and your baby are on a regular schedule and you are feeling like your old self again. Get others to do the daily, physical tasks like housework and shopping and, if you can afford it, hire someone to do these jobs. That way, you can get the extra rest you'll need to do your job every day. Don't fear the bed and sleep when you need to. You don't have to stay up until midnight to get that extra work done, just because you always did before. Your baby and your overburdened body need all the sleep they can get.

Move around frequently to ease the stress on your muscles and back. Your body will tell you, in it's own language of tiredness and ache, when any of the mundane, simple daily tasks are too much, so listen attentively. Many companies supply an ergonomic chair for office workers if you have a note from your doctor. . A well supported back plus adjustable height and arms make for a wonderful pregnancy chair. You can also bring in a small pillow to support your lower back while you sit. Reduce pressure on your lower back plus minimize leg and foot swelling by keeping your feet elevated. Plan for those extra trips to the bathroom. Trying to ignore the urge is not good.

If your job is very stressful, you need to rest more and may need to stop working sooner. Stress can be much harder on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Talk to your boss, your co-workers and others to see if you can reduce some of the usual stress. Talk to your doctor so she knows what you are up against. She may suggest an earlier leave or other options. Learn relaxation exercises, or take a Yoga class for pregnant women. You can use this to relieve stress and relax and you will feel much better. Be sure you talk to your doctor about the demands of your particular job. Some jobs will increase your risk of pregnancy complications.

High risk jobs include: %u2022 The aforementioned lifting especially heavy lifting (strenuous work has been shown to increase the risk of premature birth. Also, the likelihood of pre-eclampsia or hypertension and low birth weight babies is increased). %u2022 Lots of demanding walking or ascending and prolonged standing (premature birth is also associated with long periods of standing). %u2022 Working in close proximity to toxic chemicals, dust, radiation, infectious diseases or fumes. %u2022 An extremely, consistently noisy environment especially if there is a lot of vibration. %u2022 Any prolonged travelling. %u2022 Irregular, shift work with long hours or frequent changes of shift causes fatigue which increases risk. %u2022 Extremes of temperatures. %u2022 You're not going to be terribly supple or have amazing balance so if you job requires those attributes you may have a problem.

If your job is high risk but you must continue to work talk to your boss and see if there is any way you could transfer or tailor your job somewhat until after the birth. Discuss any concerns or negative effects work may be having on your pregnancy with your doctor.

Healthypregnancys.com is the only resource you need to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancyPregnancy Check it out now at: Pregnancy.